EU Commission indicates it's ready to implement Mercosur trade deal
despite parliament vote to delay
[January 23, 2026] By
DAVID McHUGH
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European Union is willing to implement a
sweeping free trade agreement with the Mercosur group of South American
countries on a provisional basis, the head of the EU's executive
commission said Friday, despite a vote by the EU parliament to delay
ratification for legal review.
The EU would be ready to act as soon as at least one Mercosur country
ratifies, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the
conclusion of a summit of EU leaders in Brussels where several national
leaders raised the issue.
“There is a clear interest that we ensure that the benefits of this
agreement apply as soon as possible,” von der Leyen said at a news
conference. “In short, we will be ready when they are ready.”
No formal decision to implement the deal had been taken yet, she said.
At the same news conference, Antonio Costa, head of the EU council of
member governments, said the executive commission had the authority to
move ahead on interim implementation.
A decision to do that is likely to provoke criticism from opponents of
the deal, led by France. On Wednesday, the parliament narrowly voted to
refer the trade deal to the European Court of Justice for legal review,
holding up ratification since the parliament cannot vote on ratification
until the court rules. That could take months.
The deal is central to Brussels’ plan to form trade relations outside a
historic dependency on the U.S. in the wake of antagonism and aggression
during U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term. They’ve struck deals
from Japan to Mexico and are expected to sign a similar accord with
India later this month.
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A man holds up a sign which reads "Mercosur equals death for sure"
as he participates in a demonstration against the EU-Mercusor trade
agreement, outside the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern
France, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Pascal Bastien)
 Supported by South America’s
cattle-raising countries and European industrial interests, the
accord is aimed at gradually eliminating more than 90% of tariffs on
goods ranging from Argentine beef to German cars, creating one of
the world’s largest free trade zones and making shopping cheaper for
more than 700 million consumers.
France, Europe’s major agricultural producer, wanted stronger
protections for farmers and has sought to delay the pact.
However German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the vote to delay
“regrettable” and has urged provisional application of the
agreement.
Ratification is considered all but guaranteed in South America,
where the agreement has broad support.
Mercosur consists of the region’s two biggest economies, Argentina
and Brazil, as well as Paraguay and Uruguay. Bolivia, the bloc’s
newest member, is not included the trade deal, but could join in the
coming years. Venezuela has been suspended from the bloc and is not
included in the agreement.
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